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Allentown, PA

Seller's - What to do before hiring a home inspector

02-07-10
Jay Tilton
Jay Tilton: Inspector in Allentown, PA

Last Sunday the Morning Call & Philadelphia Inquirer had the article below which essentially stated that buyers were hammering the sellers with the home inspection and that it would be EXTREMELY WISE for the Seller to get his/her own home inspection prior to putting the home on the market to prevent surprises. All home inspectors agree with that but I would take it a little further in that before having the inspection done that the Seller do the following:

ELECTRICAL - Replace broken &/or missing electrical outlet & switch covers, replace missing or burned out light bulbs, purchase ($6 - $9) & use a GFCI tester to make sure the GFCI's work, clear the area in front of the electrical panels,

HEATING - Make sure baseboards &/or radiators heat up, Make sure there is a recent service report under a year old especially with oil fired systems

PLUMBING - Slow drains

STRUCTURE - Replace cracked &/or broken window panes, make sure windows stay up when opened, clear the area around the attic entrance, with pre-1978 homes properly prep & paint flaking & chipping paint

EXTERIOR - trim bushes & trees so they are at least 6 inches from the structure, make sure the house numbers are clearly visible, clear the snow from walkways, driveways, porches, decks &/or patios

GENERAL - Get rid of the clutter (home inspector thinks What is being hidden?).

There are probably other quick & easy checks & fixes but these will reduce the amount of maintenance items & make it look like you really care about your property.

http://www.philly.com/philly/classifieds/real_estate/CTW_realestate_20100126_Suitable_for_sale.html

Home Inspection is not a CODE inspection

02-02-10
Jay Tilton
Jay Tilton: Inspector in Allentown, PA

Today, I received a call from a potential client telling me his bank told him that he had to pay for a Code inspection for the home he was purchasing in Allentown. I explained to him that he needed to call Allentown's Building Standards and Safety Department due to the fact that a Home inspection is not a code inspection. I told him that most Home Inspectors are not licensed/certified code inspectors. I told him that CODE was a four letter to a Home inspector and that home inspectors were aware of code but did not inspect to code. I also said as Home inspectors we were looking for issues with items and systems that were health issues, safety issues, could cause failure of an item or system or indications that an item or system was close to failure.

Finally, I went on to explain to him that for the most part the code inspector is looking for the following items:

  • Handrails and stairs that are solid and have certain dimensions and characteristics.
  • GFCI's in the kitchen, bathroom(s), exterior and garage.
  • Windows that stay in place when opened.
  • Cracked/broken windows
  • Flaking paint in homes built prior to 1978.
  • Knob & Tube wiring.
  • Smoke detectors - each bedroom and each level.
  • Unprotected light bulbs in closets.
  • Ungrounded outlets.
  • Double tapped breakers.
  • If the structure is a multiple unit then electrical panels for each unit plus one for the Landlord which is the common areas.
  • Bonding of the electrical panel to the metal pipes in the structure.
  • Outlets, switches and junction boxes without covers or with broken covers.
  • Overflow line from a relief valve.
  • Drip legs at gas boilers, furnaces and water heaters.
  • Various other items.

2053 Baker Drive Allentown PA Just Listed!

Donald Bradbury, 610-952-3578 REALTOR Bucks County PA: Real Estate Agent in Quakertown, PA

2053 Baker Dr Allentown PA

2053 Baker Dr, Allentown, PA 18103 View Map

This well maintained home in the Westbrook Park community of South Allentown is a great buy for the first time home buyer that is eligible for the recently extended $8,000 tax credit, and is just starting out. Walk to shopping, playground, swimming pool and busses. Close to Little League Fields as well. Backs up to the South Mountain Middle School. Modern Kitchen, Attractive decor, nice sized dining room and living room. Basement Laundry with walkout to back yard and attached garage. Parking access to garage through back alley. Three bedrooms and one bath on upper level. This is a must see property in a great neighborhood, with a competitive price. Please call for a showing appointment today.

Details

Asking Price:
$113,000
Sq. Feet:
1152
Lot Size:
0.05
Bedrooms:
3
Bathrooms:
1
# of Floors:
2
Garage Size:
1
Subdivision:
Westbrook Park
Year Built:
1965

Property Amenities

    - Range/Oven
    - Full Refrigerator
    - Microwave
    - Washer/Dryer
    - Dishwasher
    - Hardwood floors
    - Basement
    - Attic
    - Grass Lawn
    - Central Heat
    - Living room
    - Dining Room
    - Breakfast nook
    - Laundry area - inside

Contact Info

Donald Bradbury, Realtor
The Bradbury Team www.bradburyteam.com



Main fax: 215-536-7170
Cell 610/952-3578
Dir 215/536-6777x329
Email | Website


All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

2053 Baker Drive Allentown PA Just Listed and Priced LOW!

Donald Bradbury, 610-952-3578 REALTOR Bucks County PA: Real Estate Agent in Quakertown, PA

2053 Baker Dr Allentown PA

2053 Baker Dr, Allentown, PA 18103 View Map

This well maintained home in the Westbrook Park community of South Allentown is a great buy for the first time home buyer that is eligible for the recently extended $8,000 tax credit, and is just starting out. Walk to shopping, playground, swimming pool and busses. Close to Little League Fields as well. Backs up to the South Mountain Middle School. Modern Kitchen, Attractive decor, nice sized dining room and living room. Basement Laundry with walkout to back yard and attached garage. Parking access to garage through back alley. Three bedrooms and one bath on upper level. This is a must see property in a great neighborhood, with a competitive price. Please call for a showing appointment today.

Details

Asking Price:
$113,000
Sq. Feet:
1152
Lot Size:
0.05
Bedrooms:
3
Bathrooms:
1
# of Floors:
2
Garage Size:
1
Subdivision:
Westbrook Park
Year Built:
1965

Property Amenities

    - Range/Oven
    - Full Refrigerator
    - Microwave
    - Washer/Dryer
    - Dishwasher
    - Hardwood floors
    - Basement
    - Attic
    - Grass Lawn
    - Central Heat
    - Living room
    - Dining Room
    - Breakfast nook
    - Laundry area - inside

Contact Info

Donald Bradbury, Realtor
The Bradbury Team www.bradburyteam.com



Main fax: 215-536-7170
Cell 610/952-3578
Dir 215/536-6777x329
Email | Website


All information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.

2053 Baker Drive Allentown PA Just Listed and Priced LOW!

Donald Bradbury, 610-952-3578 REALTOR Bucks County PA: Real Estate Agent in Quakertown, PA
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Description
This well maintained home in the Westbrook Park community of South Allentown is a great buy for the first time home buyer that is eligible for the recently extended $8,000 tax credit, and is just starting out. Walk to shopping, playground, swimming pool and busses. Close to Little League Fields as well. Backs up to the South Mountain Middle School. Modern Kitchen, Attractive décor, nice sized dining room and living room. Basement Laundry with walkout to back yard and attached garage. Parking access to garage through back alley. Three bedrooms and one bath on upper level. This is a must see property in a great neighborhood, with a competitive price. Please call for a showing appointment today.


Features
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1
Parking Spaces: 2
Year Built: 1965
Subdivision: Westbrook Park
Lot Size: 0.05
Garage Size: 1
School District: Allentown
Square Footage: 1152
Agent Name: Donald Bradbury
Broker: Coldwell Banker Heritage
MLS #: 5627377

Location
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